Compulsive exam taker enrolls in high school for 8 years straight

A 32-year old man who has kept himself perpetually enrolled in high school for the past eight years just so he could retake China's national college entrance exams has Net users baffled as to his motivations.

Wu Shanliu of Qinzhou, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region was accepted to Tsinghua University in Beijing after scoring high on this year's gaokao.

However, he may once again give up his spot.

After searching archives, Web users discovered that over the years Wu has turned down multiple invites from China's most prestigious schools, such as Peking University and Beijing Normal University.

Wu took his first exams in 2000 and 2001 before retaking the exam in 2007 and testing every year since then, according to the Qinzhou admissions and examinations department.

One Net user claimed that Wu had attended and graduated from Beijing Jiaotong University. He later found a job, but then quit because he was "dissatisfied."

Wu has since re-enrolled in high school every year so he would be eligible for the gaokao, said the Web post.

Fellow students at Qinzhou-area high schools explained that although Wu was technically enrolled, he rarely went to class.

"We all called him an 'exam god'," a former classmate told the Nanguo Morning Post.

Web users also speculated that Wu was taking the exams for cash, as some schools and local governments offer awards to top examinees.

However, Qinzhou education department employees said the city has abandoned the award system during the recent two years.

Some Web users have chastised Wu for occupying college spots that could have gone to other willing students.

Local school officials explain that schools do not discriminate against examinees based on age or frequency of sitting the exam.

"We don't care if the results are good or not. Everyone has their own goals and pursuits. The school can only try its best to meet students' needs," said Liu Shiwei, principal of Qinzhou Second Middle School.

Wu was unavailable for comment.